The first day of the American Softball Association’s 16U Northwest “A” Regional Qualifier girls fastpitch softball tournament concluded Friday.

Eight teams won their first two games at Batch Fields and Northwest Park, to advance to today’s winners bracket quarterfinals. There are 26 squads competing in the prestigious three-day tournament, from California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

The two local clubs entered in the event are the Helena Thunder and the Montana Madness.

The 16U Thunder dropped their opening round game to the Salem (Ore.) Sliders, 11-0. Sliders’ pitcher Sarah Ritacco hurled a 1-hitter, the lone base knock being a single off the bat of Helena’s Anna Morgan. The Oregon club banged out 12 hits, led by Adrienne Waterman and Erin Norris. The Thunders’ Morgan was tabbed with the loss.

Next, in a loser-out game, the Thunder dropped a cliffhanger to the Billings Riot, 5-4. Pitcher Jenna Krum went the distance for Helena, and was stuck with the tough loss. Morgan and Callie French produced some key hits, although everyone contributed at the plate. On defense, the local group turned one double play to get out of an inning.

“It’s tough to spot a team some runs and then come all the way back, especially against the caliber of play in this tournament,” said coach Thunder coach Scott Hicks. “Jenna Krum pitched a heck of a game. We are a young team, we could actually be 14U. But we’re playing well and doing better than I expected.”

Helena’s other entrant, the Montana Madness, lost their opener to the Kelso (Wash.) Eruption, 9-0. Eruption hurlers Jessika-Jo Sandrini and Jenna DeRosier combined to throw a perfect game against the Madness, giving up no runs, no hits and no errors. The Kelso duo were both firing BBs, as they collaborated to strikeout 10 of a possible 15 batters in the five-inning affair. Monica Grimsrud took the loss.

Kelso was paced offensively by Sandrini, DeRosier and Kaylie Dobbins.

Those teams winning their first two games and advancing to the quarterfinals are Southridge Blaze, Forest Grove Rampage, SC Desperatos, Rainer Jets, Beaverton Silver Bullets, Kelso Eruption, Great Falls Select and NW Wildfire. The Select are the only Montana team still undefeated in the tourney.

Play resumes at 9:45 a.m. today, at Batch Fields and Northwest Park. The finals will be contested Sunday, with the top four place-winners advancing to Nationals in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net